Times in brackets are for request stops - we may not call at these. Times assume departure from Llandovery on schedule at 10.56.

10.56 We leave Llandovery.

(11.04) Cynghordy. L - The little station is about 0.75 mile away from the village. We then cross the Cynghordy viaduct; with 18 arches, it is 850 feet long and just over 100 feet high. We climb steeply and the rocky knoll from which the next station (Sugar Loaf) takes its name will be on the right; we pass through a 1,000 yard long tunnel.

(11.13) Sugar Loaf. This remote station is mostly used by a few walkers and cyclists - 228 for the 2016/7 year, up from 132 in 2015/6! We now head north-east and follow the A483 Llandovery to Builth Wells road.

11.19 We arrive at Llanwrtyd Wells and leave the train; we will spend the rest of the morning and early afternoon here.

16.24 We leave Llanwrtyd Wells and head east, following the River Irfon (which flows in to the Wye) downstream.

(16.30) Llangammarch Wells. R - This is the smallest of the four spa towns/villages of Mid Wales although the spa was focused on a barium well which is now closed. The village lies on the River Irfon and has a population of just under 500; it is centred on the parish church of St Cadmarch. Now heading north-east, we cross over the Irfon (twice) and the River Dulas.

(16.34) Garth. South (right) of this small village are the Eppynt mountains (Mynydd Eppynt) which rise to over 1,500 feet. A road over the mountains runs from Garth to Brecon - we cross over it just after the station. We follow the A483 Llandovery to Builth Wells road.

(16.39) Cilmery. L -The Welsh spelling for this village (which has around 450 inhabitants) is Cilmeri. It is near where the last native Prince of Wales of direct descent, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, was slain in 1282 during a skirmish with soldiers of Edward I of England. A memorial serves as the focal point for an annual day of remembrance on the anniversary of his death on 11 December. The line crosses the Chwefru, a tributary of the Wye and then the Wye itself.

(16.43) Builth Road. R - Fifty years ago Builth Wells had its own railway station on the line to Brecon (which crossed our line here) but today this is the closest we get to the town which is a couple of miles south-east. Builth Wells was founded by the Normans when a timber Motte and Bailey Castle was constructed at a commanding point overlooking the ancient crossing of the Wye. This market town today has a population of some 2,400. Just outside of the town is the Royal Welsh Showground which hosts a number of events throughout the year, including the biggest agricultural show in Europe - The Royal Welsh Show, which takes place in July each year. During this time, the quiet railway hamlet of Builth Road springs to life with special trains for the Show and connecting buses. Still heading north-east we follow the A483 road from Builth Wells past Howey (right) to Llandrindod.

Points of Interest Llandovery-Llandod HofW/Towns at Llandovery Railway Station

Details

Times in brackets are for request stops - we may not call at these. Times assume departure from Llandovery on schedule at 10.56.

10.56 We leave Llandovery.

(11.04) Cynghordy. L - The little station is about 0.75 mile away from the village. We then cross the Cynghordy viaduct; with 18 arches, it is 850 feet long and just over 100 feet high. We climb steeply and the rocky knoll from which the next station (Sugar Loaf) takes its name will be on the right; we pass through a 1,000 yard long tunnel.

(11.13) Sugar Loaf. This remote station is mostly used by a few walkers and cyclists - 228 for the 2016/7 year, up from 132 in 2015/6! We now head north-east and follow the A483 Llandovery to Builth Wells road.

11.19 We arrive at Llanwrtyd Wells and leave the train; we will spend the rest of the morning and early afternoon here.

16.24 We leave Llanwrtyd Wells and head east, following the River Irfon (which flows in to the Wye) downstream.

(16.30) Llangammarch Wells. R - This is the smallest of the four spa towns/villages of Mid Wales although the spa was focused on a barium well which is now closed. The village lies on the River Irfon and has a population of just under 500; it is centred on the parish church of St Cadmarch. Now heading north-east, we cross over the Irfon (twice) and the River Dulas.

(16.34) Garth. South (right) of this small village are the Eppynt mountains (Mynydd Eppynt) which rise to over 1,500 feet. A road over the mountains runs from Garth to Brecon - we cross over it just after the station. We follow the A483 Llandovery to Builth Wells road.

(16.39) Cilmery. L -The Welsh spelling for this village (which has around 450 inhabitants) is Cilmeri. It is near where the last native Prince of Wales of direct descent, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, was slain in 1282 during a skirmish with soldiers of Edward I of England. A memorial serves as the focal point for an annual day of remembrance on the anniversary of his death on 11 December. The line crosses the Chwefru, a tributary of the Wye and then the Wye itself.

(16.43) Builth Road. R - Fifty years ago Builth Wells had its own railway station on the line to Brecon (which crossed our line here) but today this is the closest we get to the town which is a couple of miles south-east. Builth Wells was founded by the Normans when a timber Motte and Bailey Castle was constructed at a commanding point overlooking the ancient crossing of the Wye. This market town today has a population of some 2,400. Just outside of the town is the Royal Welsh Showground which hosts a number of events throughout the year, including the biggest agricultural show in Europe - The Royal Welsh Show, which takes place in July each year. During this time, the quiet railway hamlet of Builth Road springs to life with special trains for the Show and connecting buses. Still heading north-east we follow the A483 road from Builth Wells past Howey (right) to Llandrindod.